Ski Day, Whistler and Blackcomb

Now, where did I leave off?? Ah yes, my day of skiing with my cousin, Geoff.

Woke up early with a wee hangie, but nothing Raisin Bran, toast and coffee couldn't cure. Played with the kiddies for a bit, watched tape-delayed hockey shootout game between Russia and Slovakia, and then it was on the bus and up to the mountain.

Rented my skis at Carleton Lodge and then we were on our way. The weather was an absolute perfect spring day - bluebird skies, 6C at the base, -4C at the summit, no ice, just nice fast snow.

Geoff took it easy on me early, hitting some nice, fast cruisers. It gave us a chance to warm up as the tougher challenges were looming for me. I hadn't skied too many days this year, so I was a bit apprehensive about my leg strength and stamina, but I was determined not to slow my cousin up too much.

On the chair lift, we met (again) some interesting people, most notably two bomb techs from Hamilton. They are up as part of the larger security force that is in Vancouver and Whistler. We had a really nice chat, and once we reached the summit, it was time to part ways. A few runs and then we went over to watch the men's Super G race course. We stayed for about 30 minutes, managed to see Manny ski (and fall), as well as several others. What a rush to see them pass by us at such incredible speeds!

Whistler Bowl, Bagel Bowl, and then...The Couloir, possibly Whistler Mountains most famous double-black run. Geoff first took me to 'the hard way', just for the view, and believe me, it is an insane drop in. We moved down to the 'easy way', which was still a really nice challenge. The first thing to remember is not to be too much in awe of the view. The next thing to remember - don't screw up, because it's a loooong way down. As you can guess, I survived that run, and my quad muscles are still rebelling against me as I type this.

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola is not only a spectacle of engineering, but one of the most thrilling 11 minutes of your life. As the longest gondola in the world, it joins Whistler and Blackcomb mountain. Debate rages amongst locals as to which mountain is best, but to me, skiing both in the same day is the cat's ass. In fact, there is nothing more breathtaking than hiking up a few metres to the entrance of Blackcomb Glacier. Imagine a valley of white snow, walls of rock surround you as they climb into the sky, the people below looking like ants. It is one of the reasons why people from around the world flock to ski this piece of alpine heaven.

This was our last run of the day, partly because it was mid-afternoon, and partly because it can be physically demanding. We dropped in and stayed to the left, as I wondered in my head why we weren't heading towards the middle and the easiest route down.

Geoff does not do easy.

We ended up at a section that he had never skied before. Surrounded by cliffs behind us and cliffs below us, it was a sketchy decision moment of whether we would be able to find a safe way down or hike back up to the trail. We found a way down, but it would be one I will never forget!

Quite simply, it was the steepest, hairiest run I had ever done in my entire life, and I've been skiing for close to 37 years! The first two turns are the ones that will determine whether you will make it down without falling, without losing your equipment, and escaping serious injury. With visions of my children and wife in my mind, I headed down with more determination than I've ever had, skiing, quite literally, as if my life depended on it.

As I made my way down, confidence building with every turn, I knew that I quite possibly skied the run of my recreational career. It was a fantastic way to end my day, and a well deserved beer was waiting back at the house.

Shower, beer, and nachos, and then it was time to take the 4 hr trek back to Vancouver. As I entered the door in Dunbar, I noticed that my hosts, who had left for Whistler that day, left me a very nice note and a delicious bottle of '98 Cab Sauv for my consumption. However, it was 10 pm and I was exhausted, so the wine would have to wait for the next day.